Silly Question

[HuntingMartians]

Out of curiosty can looking at the night sky through a telescope damage your eyesight, particularly at stars?

[rowan46]

Generally the answer is no but if you smacked your eye on an eyepiece. I suppose you could answer yes

[LukeSkywatcher]

Absolutely not. Nothing you look at in the night sky with a telescope can harm your eyesight...............not even a full moon (as bright as it is). The ONLY thing that can and will harm your eyes without the proper filters is the Sun.

To observe the Sun safely.............this is the very least you should do so with:

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/solar-filters/baader-astrosolar-safety-film-nd-50.html

[umadog]

Out of curiosty can looking at the night sky through a telescope damage your eyesight, particularly at stars?

No, but it can cause substantial damage to your bank account, sleep patterns, family relations, etc, etc.

[Matt Scunthorpe]

Generally the answer is no but if you smacked your eye on an eyepiece. I suppose you could answer yes

Been there, done that.

[Superdavo]

I think that because you are looking very close to the eyepiece, it can increase your risk of short sightedness, bit other than that, it's not too bad.

David

[umadog]

I think that because you are looking very close to the eyepiece, it can increase your risk of short sightedness, bit other than that, it's not too bad.

That sounds unlikely to me. If for no other reason, the rays coming out of the back of the eyepiece are parallel (if you're not already long or short sighted), so objects you're seeing are at infinity. In other words, your eye considers what it is sees through the eyepiece to be very, very, far away, not very close.

[VigdisVZ]

The moon might feel "strong" but the only thing that is harmful is the sun, and that is extremely harmful. Unless some idiot decides to prank you with a laser or flashlight.

[cotterless45]

My optician tells me that my eyesight has improved. Either by use or by seeing and not just looking, hurrah !

Nick.

[cantab]

That sounds unlikely to me. If for no other reason, the rays coming out of the back of the eyepiece are parallel (if you're not already long or short sighted), so objects you're seeing are at infinity. In other words, your eye considers what it is sees through the eyepiece to be very, very, far away, not very close.

I think this depends on focus. My understanding is if you approach focus from beyond infinity, you'll reach it with your eye lens working as though it were looking at a distant object. If you approach focus from a close focus, you'll reach it with your eye lens working as though it were looking at a near object. (It is possible I've got them the wrong way round!)

[Philk_80]

Hi, I'be done loads of research before buying my scope and I have not come across anything that says that stargazing is hazardous to your health in any way (marriage and wallet is a different story).

I wouldn't worry!!

[HuntingMartians]

Thanks for all the replies.